Sizeing up the Big10

Submitted by BlueinLansing on
I think I might size up the Big 10 this way, separating them into levels of competition Ohio State -- best team/talent, but seem vulnerable to a bad game along the way, have to be the favorites -------------------- Iowa -- highly impressive tonight defensively, but No. Iowa game? Penn State -- puzzling performance tonight -------------------- Wisconsin -- A badger team finally getting good QB play, need to see a little more before bumping them up a level, could easily fall back into the mess below them quickly -------------------- Minnesota Michigan Michigan State Illinois Northwestern Indiana Purdue Just haven't seen enough to truly separate these teams, they all seem equal in abilities and futilities. All of these teams look capable of beating each other but not sure they can beat any of the above 4 teams. Next week Michigan at Michigan State Wisconsin at Minnesota Northwestern at Purdue Penn State at Illinois Ohio State at Indiana Arkansas St at Iowa
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BlueinLansing

September 27th, 2009 at 12:37 AM ^

their oline and dline's are just average and that is what will determine the outcome of most games. I realize ND probably wins that game tonight easily with those guys, but they didn't and thats all we have to go on. After this week though I can definitly see the Irish losing 2 or 3 more games.

Joined: 09/01/2009

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cargo

September 27th, 2009 at 12:27 AM ^

Why is wisconsin on another level? Yes they beat sparty at home but in general theres not enough info to put them ahead of say northwestern, minnesota, michigan, Indiana, or Purdue

Joined: 06/30/2008

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tmiller

September 27th, 2009 at 12:28 AM ^

performance today puts them at a level above everyone else. Illinois is terrible so far. My 2 cents (in order). tOSU PSU Iowa Wisconsin Michigan Indiana Minnesota Purdue Illinois Michigan State Northwestern

Joined: 09/02/2009

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PhillipFulmersPants

September 27th, 2009 at 8:13 AM ^

though I don't think the circumstances were quite the same. Corp's first start, USC coming off a big emotional W in Columbus, game on the road ... vs. PSU prime time, white out, defending conference champions at home, with Sr. QB, plus motivation from last year's game in Iowa City etc. I don't think many people believe Washington is better than USC. But after the way Iowa played last night, to me Iowa appears to be at least as good as PSU. I was just wondering about TMiller's grouping, and I think he explained that it's partially what he's projecting how things will play out. Fair enough.

Joined: 01/06/2009

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Medic

September 27th, 2009 at 12:31 AM ^

Looked fantastic on offense but it appears MSU may have some of the same issues on defense that we do, so I don't know how good they really are. Sparty also had 4 turnovers. Wisconsin played great for 58 minutes, did anyone watch the last 2 minutes of that game though with Sparty getting 2 TDs late and almost making a game of it? BB was making some WTF calls there.

Joined: 10/24/2008

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cargo

September 27th, 2009 at 12:33 AM ^

Yea but we look great on offense too. Look at the games they have played NIU won by 8, Fresno State won by 3 in double overtime, Wofford won by 30, and was handily beating sparty near the end. Yes they might be able to put up number but They arent that impressive.

Joined: 06/30/2008

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BlueinLansing

September 27th, 2009 at 12:34 AM ^

3 times. They tackle well and their offense looks better than most Wisconsin offenses. I've seen enough to believe they are better than the 7 teams I have below them.......I also said it won't take much for them to drop down. Ohio State's defense is head and shoulders and then some the best in the Big 10. If they lose a game in Big 10 play it won't be because of the defense. Honestly they shouldn't lose a game in Big 10 play.

Joined: 09/01/2009

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ShockFX

September 27th, 2009 at 12:35 AM ^

Guys, PSU isn't that good. They beat Akron, Syracuse, and Temple, then got their asses totally handed to them by a really physical Iowa team. PSU doesn't have much of an Oline, and it really showed tonight. Michigan has a much, much better chance with PSU at home than they do going on the road to Iowa.

Joined: 07/16/2008

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jmblue

September 27th, 2009 at 1:00 AM ^

We're "equal in abilities and futilities" with a couple of teams that have already lost three times, and with an Illinois team that has lost twice by a combined 58 points?

Joined: 11/07/2008

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bronxblue

September 27th, 2009 at 1:26 PM ^

I've matched (at least part of) every MSU game this year except against Montana St., and they are thoroughly average. The defense is very weak considered that was the purported strength of the team heading into the season, and the offense has been decent but unspectacular. Illinois has been dominated when they play even decent teams - see OSU and MU, and I don't think there will be some great revelation by the offense going forward. Yes, Juice Williams can play well at times, but his inconsistencies always seem to get in the team's way. IU played exceedingly well yesterday - had quite a few breaks and played out of their mind for 3 quarters - and still lost. UM played about as bad as we've seen this whole year, and still won. That wasn't a lucky win; that was a good team overcoming its bad play to win.

Joined: 11/22/2008

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CrankThatDonovan

September 27th, 2009 at 11:08 AM ^

I know you're somewhat joking, but, um, most years, even when we beat Notre Dame, Michigan has lost by the end of September. Someone did a diary about it recently, but Michigan very rarely starts 4-0. Also, how often has Michigan had "thoroughly average" teams? We won 75% of our games under Lloyd Carr. Is winning the conference championship five times in eleven years thoroughly average to you?

Joined: 08/08/2008

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Muttley

September 27th, 2009 at 2:00 AM ^

OSU Iowa PSU ------------ Michigan Wisconsin ------------ MSU Minnesota Purdue (Jekyl & Hyde, see tough Oregon & ND heartbreakers vs N. Ill punt dropping stinker) ------------ Northwestern Indiana Illinois

Joined: 07/07/2009

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gujd

September 27th, 2009 at 3:25 AM ^

I don't think Wisconsin has shown anything to separate them from the rest of the 7 teams in the Big 10. They could finish anywhere from 3-6 imo, as could about 3 other teams. No consistency in play anywhere. I like our chances against PSU at home and I like the fact that Iowa doesn't seem like a team that can really take advantage of our defense the way other teams (see ND) can. The way we play, I'd much rather play a team with a stellar defense and mediocre offense than a good offense with an average defense. It almost seems to not matter who the defense is, more so if we execute or not (see first 1st qtr today vs 2nd/3rd qtr).

Joined: 12/22/2008

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OSUMC Wolverine

September 27th, 2009 at 8:32 AM ^

I think the D will come around. As bad as they have been, we still are 4-0. Its also important to note the defense got ripped while our offense slept yesterday. Any defense has trouble if they are on the field for 4-5 possessions in a row of 10+ plays while there offense is 3 and out or worse with turnovers. TIme of possession is important to defensive performance. I may not be able to throw a football through a tire at 20 yards every time, but give me a 100 attempts and I will. Same goes for opposing offenses. The D was tenacious against WMU because we had a big lead early and they could pin their ears back and have fun. We did not have that liberty in the other three games. Someone needs to check the star ratings between Michigan's D and Iowa's D. I bet we average at least a full star better per man via scout and rivals. It is not a skill issue, its a learning issue. It will come.

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